EMMANUEL

ISAIAH 12:6 (GW)
Shout loudly, and sing with joy, people of Zion!
The Holy One of Israel is great. He is among you.

LUKE 19:37-38 (CEV)
When Jesus was starting down the Mount of Olives, his large crowd of disciples were happy and praised God because of all the miracles they had seen. They shouted,
     “Blessed is the king who comes
       in the name of the Lord!
       Peace in heaven
       and glory to God.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Great things happen when God resides in our midst -- a cause for great celebration.

PRAYER
Almighty God, your headquarters is in heaven but you come to hang out with us. It's a great honor. Yet, we get so caught up in lesser things that we easily miss the real party. Help me to leave behind all that is insignificant and to focus on you -- living among us -- Emmanuel -- Jesus. I'm going to expect miracles. Amen.

TRUE FREEDOM

PSALM 91:4 (CEV)
His faithfulness is like
a shield or a city wall...

JOHN 8:31-32 (MSG)
Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Allow Jesus to envelop your life and you'll experience true freedom.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, that Jesus is the truth that sets me free. I regret succumbing to self-deception, sinfulness, and Satan's lies. I seek to know you intimately and serve you only. Draw me into your word. Your shield of truth will protect me from Satan's fiery arrows and free me to become an effective disciple of Christ. Amen. (Daily Texts, Ground Up Grace edition)

GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE

EXODUS 34:9 (MSG)
At once, Moses fell to the ground and worshiped, saying, “Please, O Master, if you see anything good in me, please Master, travel with us..."

LUKE 1:76-77 (CEB)
You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way. You will tell his people how to be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
God chooses to work through and with his people.

PRAYER
Great God, even though you have power beyond imagination you choose to work through frail and often broken people. We are humbled to be included. Forgive me when I start to think that I'm too insignificant or unworthy for your work. Help me to rejoice in the circumstances I'm in, knowing that you are using me here to further the work of your Messiah, Jesus. I'm going to trust that you know what you're doing. Amen.

BLESS GOD

PSALM 63:4 (MSG)
I bless you every time I take a breath;
My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

COLOSSIANS 1:12 (NCV)
And you will joyfully give thanks to the Father who has made you able to have a share in all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light.

SUMMARY SENTENCE
Devote your life to thanking God for all that he is doing.

PRAYER
Bless you, God, for all that you have already done for us -- even more so for all that you are doing and will do. I admit that I can be a grumbler when negative things happen. Help me to move beyond it all. Even when I can't see anything positive, in faith I'm going to bless you. Amen.